Redemption

by Karin Tabke

Originally published in What You Can't See anthology

A bad boy cop bargains his way out of hell—and back into his ex-fiance’s heart—in Redemption, a novella from international bestselling author Karin Tabke.

After a fatal car crash, bad boy cop Zach Garret’s descent into hell is interrupted by an unusual deal for redemption. All Zach has to do is return to earth as a warrior sworn to defend his ex-fiancée Danica Keller, the unknowing keeper of a power coveted by the forces of darkness. But even harder than keeping Danica alive that long is convincing her to give a second chance to the man who once betrayed her.

Genres: Paranormal

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2007

About the author

Karin is a multi-published, national bestselling, award-winning author.

Karin has sold more than a dozen stories to US publishers: Kensington, Simon & Schuster, and Penguin Random House. Her self-publishing debut, THE CHRONICLES of KATRINA, was met with resounding enthusiasm. Never one to disappoint her readers, Karin happily launched the spinoff series The Bad Boys of the Bay, featuring the heroes she knows so well–hot cops. Translation rights to Karin’s books have been licensed in Japan, Thailand, Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, Italy, Portugal and the UK.

In 2008, Karin’s novel JADED (Simon & Schuster) won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotic Romance Suspense. In 2011, her paranormal romance BLOOD LAW (Berkley) won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Erotic Fiction and was the first book in her Blood Moon Rising series. In 2012, the second book in the trilogy, BLOODRIGHT, was nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotic Paranormal Romance. Karin’s other awards include a CAPA and the Holt Medallion, as well as a finalist nod for the Prism. Her debut single title, GOOD GIRL GONE BAD (Simon & Schuster), was featured in the October 2006 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.

Karin’s most rewarding award, however, was not bestowed for her storytelling skills but for her mentorship of unpublished writers. She was honored to receive RWA’s (Romance Writers of America) Pro Mentor of the Year award in 2008. She has served as president of her local RWA chapter in San Francisco and as Director-at-Large on the RWA National Board of Directors.

Karin has been married to her own hot cop–now licensed Private Investigator–for over thirty years and she writes what she knows. She has also started and sold several profitable businesses, but her true love is writing passionate love stories. When she isn’t writing, Karin loves to travel and does so extensively, meeting readers and sharing her knowledge via workshops at writer conventions and conferences.

Reviews

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

God, she tasted sweet. His body ached for more, his heart for all. But he had nothing to give in return. He was a cold-blooded killer, and every time she looked at him he could see the horror of his deeds reflected in her eyes.

I'm a sucker for a second chance romance. There's just something about it that does it for me every single time. Maybe it's the angst. Maybe it's the groveling? Whatever the case may be, I can't get enough of it.

As a long time fan of Karin Tabke's I was thrilled to see she has a new book coming out. And as a huge fan of PNR, I was even more thrilled when I read the synopsis. With an abundance of vampire and shifter books out there, I find myself craving something different in my PNR at times and this book definitely delivered on that end. The world building is an intriguing mix that I haven't read before.

Zach was a hero you couldn't help but love, even his broken pieces, and the man had plenty of them. He hadn't exactly been a saint in his life or his career. He's made his share of bad decisions and wrong choices, but none haunt him as much as what happened between him and his ex-fiancee, Danica.

When a choice after his death is to fall into hell or become the guardian for a woman that quite literary holds the fate of the world in her hands, it's really no choice at all. But unfortunately for Zach, the woman also happens to be his ex-fiance whose heart he didn't just break, but he destroyed her life. She wants nothing to do with him and now he has to prove to her that she needs him just as much as he's always known he's needed her.

For a novella, there was quite a lot of character development and plot expertly packed in. There are a couple secondary characters that piqued my interest quite a bit. So much so, I'm hoping this will be the start of a new series. The romance was equally satisfying, though I didn't have quite enough time to truly get invested in it, hence my lower rating. I liked Danica's strength. This is no damsel in distress, and I appreciate that in my books.

All in all, I enjoyed this one quite a bit and hoping there's more to come in this intriguing new world.

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

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In boxed set - "What You Can't See (The Seven Deadly Sins)"

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

When good vs. evil, there is often much uncertainty as to who will be the victor when the final confrontation plays out. If something paranormal is also tossed into the mix along with genuine emotions, then situations become even more complicated and this is the reason REDEMPTION captured my interest from the start. In this enchanting story from Karin Tabke, a man with a checkered past is given a final chance to make amends for his previous actions or pay an extremely high price. Having to protect a woman who has no idea that she is crucial in keeping malevolent immortals from gaining power is difficult enough. But since she is his former fiancée along with being unaware of her importance to the circumstances, his task is doubly challenging. REDEMPTION is attention-grabbing because of an abundance of secrets and original supernatural developments.

Though Zachary Garret is a police detective and faces danger on a regular basis, he never thought a car wreck while on duty would cause his death. But instead of ending up in hell which appeared to be his final destination, he is given the opportunity to save not only himself but the whole world. However there is a big problem, as the woman formerly his fiancée is involved and Danica Keller never wants him in her life again.

After hearing that Danica is the only person left who can save humanity but is unaware of her destiny, Zach finally agrees to try and persuade her to do what has been foretold. His choice to deceive her led to their breakup, but being around her again makes him yearn for what they had. Yet he has a responsibility to complete his mission first before letting his personal feelings control him.

Karin Tabke has a very vivid imagination, and REDEMPTION is a paranormal romance filled with fascination and spirited characters. Zach and Danica have been through a lot as a couple, and it would seem there is no way for their relationship to ever be restored as her sentiments were very clear to me on numerous occasions. Danica has been hurt by this man and knows nothing about the truth when it comes to the paranormal and her background. Yet she does not shy away when facts become known. Zach definitely made several prior decisions that he truly regrets, and what he chooses to do with a second chance to make up for at least one of them will determine the future for many.

The battle between those trying to help others and the individuals only thinking of themselves is intense at times, as neither side is willing to give in. I feared for Zach and Danica more than once, as their foes are strong. While not a long story, I still found the book to be entertaining. REDEMPTION was previously released in the anthology, WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE, and is now available as a separate eBook.

I voluntarily reviewed the book via NetGalley, and these comments are my honest opinion.